Earlier this week, while in Singapore, I met with this years Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Swimmer, Tony Goodwin, of Australia, at the World Aquatics Masters World Championships. Tony was on his last day of competition, where he has won all his races in the 85-89 age group.
Unfortunatelty, Tony is unable to travel to Fort Lauderdale from Australia to be with us for his induction, and since we were going to be in Singapore, we took his Honoree award to him. He was thriled to say the least!
While in Singapore at Worlds, Tony swam in five events and won five gold medals. He competed in the 100 meter breaststroke, swimming only 1.5 seconds outside his world record; swimming in the 50 fly, he set the competition record; in the 200 IM, he swam in NSW (Australia) record time; in the 200 Breaststroke, he swam just three seconds outside WR time; and in the 50 breaststroke he swam just 0.8 seconds outside WR time.
Tony lives about two hours south of Sydney in the Southern Highlands, as both his children live nearby. His wife of 62 years died in 2023 from Motor Neurone Disease. He has always competed for Manly Masters (since 1993) despite not living in the area. They were one of the first ever Masters Clubs, beginning in 1975 ~ It is their 50 year anniversary this year as part of Masters Swimming New South Wales. He trains locally by himself and has never been on a team. Tony says, “By now I should know what to do.” With five World Championship gold medals around his neck, it is clear he does!
We will all miss Tony in Fort Lauderdale on Septemeber 13, but he will be there with us in spirit! Congrations to Tony Goodwin on his induction into the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame and his incredible swimming in Singapore! And now, he is now off to Turkey for a well desevered holiday!